Program Overview

The UW-Madison School of Social Work has a national reputation for excellence among schools of social work, and of course, the University itself is known world-wide. The School's program of study challenges students to acquire social work knowledge, skills, and values, to provide leadership to the profession, and to become dedicated social work practitioners who work to improve social conditions and promote social justice. The MSW Program offers a social problem and social issues focus to the education and preparation of students as advanced practitioners and leaders across fields of social work practice.

Our students find that the teaching of Social Work Practice knowledge, values, and skills with an analytic approach fosters the ability to acquire and translate knowledge into sound professional social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and/or organizations.

The first year (or Generalist Practice Year[15]) is designed to provide you with foundational social work knowledge, values, and skills necessary for solid social work practice and to prepare you for advanced practice within the advanced generalist specialization.

In the second year (or Advanced Practice Specialization Year[16]), students complete the advanced generalist specialization with a focus in Aging; Child, Youth and Family Welfare; Health; or Mental Health. It is not possible to focus in more than one area. In addition, through the courses they choose, students deepen their social work practice knowledge, values, and skill base within that framework with either a direct practice or indirect practice emphasis.